Robert Whitworth first surveyed the line for a canal through the Vale of the White Horse in 1784, as part of a plan by the Thames and Severn Canal Company to bypass the upper Thames, which they saw as an impediment to their trade. Further surveys followed, with a great deal of activity from 1793 to 1795 when the Wilts and Berks Canal Act was passed, for a canal from Abington on the Thames to Semington on the Kennet and Avon Canal just to the South of Melksham. Both Robert Whitworth and his son William were heavily involved in the planning of this canal, with William standing in for his father at important meetings that decided the line of the canal.

Compulsory purchase of land and construction started as soon as the act was passed, with Robert Whitworh as the chief engineer; when he passed away in 1799, his son William took over most of his father's role; starting from the Semington end of the canal, the Thames was eventually reached on 10th September 1810. William's last know report to the committee was dated April 1811, listing a few remaining works to be done at an estimated cost of 10 thousand pounds.

The Wilts and Berks Canal passed less that 100 yards from Well House Manor, and we've named our two main training rooms "The Wilts" and "The Berks" in honour of this local piece of history. We're naming our dining room "The Whitworth" in honour of Robert and William, who surveyed and managed the building of this great undertaking and brought waterborne carriage of goods to Melksham Wharf in 1798.

See also:
Well House Manor - initial FAQ

Wilts and Berks History
Robert and William Whitworth, engineers
The Wilts and Berks in Melksham
The reservoir at Coate Water
The canal at Calne
(written 2006-08-01 21:00:00)

 

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